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S P EECH 



OF 



Hon. Horatio Seymour, 



BEFORE THE 



UNION STATE 



AT 



ALBANY, SEPTEMBER. 10th, 1862, 



ON 



Receiving the Nomination for Governor; 



A' SO, 



HIS SPEECH DELIVERED AT THE ALBANY CON- 
VENTION. JAN. 31ST, 1861. 



X E W YORK: 
PRINTED BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL LEAGUE. 

1862. 



THE CONSTITUTIONAL LEAGUE. 



This Organization is composed of Conservative men of all 
parties opposed to Abolitionism, and its main purpose is to 
publish and circulate campaign documents, and to put in motion 
such action as will tend to the increase of Conservative Union 
sentiment in the State, the overthrow of the Abolition and Dis- 
union element at the ensuing elections, and the establishment in 
the minds of the People of a sincere love for the Union, the 
Constitution, and the Laws. 



. ^ All persons disposed to assist in the dissemination of 
sound documents may contribute to the funds of the Association 
by addressing either of the folloioing Officers of the League : 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 

WM. C. PRIME, Chairman, 

WM. CHAUXCEY, STEPHEN P. RUSSEL, 

JAMES BROOKS, ELIJAH F. PURDY, 

JOHN B. EORST, MORGAN L. HARRIS, 

S. L. M. BARLOW. 

WM. P. FROST, ) 

H. K. BLAUVELT, \ Secretaries.. 



8 F> E E C H 



OF 



HON. HORATIO SEYMOUR 



Before the Democratic State Convention, at Sep- 

tember 10th, 1862, on receiving the Nomination 
for Governor. 



Mr. Pbestdzxt— Eaviug m 
rideely expressed my ddwiI ;; 
ofSci-1 pori'ion at this 
■y na- e brought I 

tion. Tbe nomioatioE ] 
ma to gT*a' i'jcoLveo' .- . 
the reealt rf 'tis tlccion. I 

■ :o aid in pi b hra^. 

be more fit t bin ~ ; 

anion. Bi . :v t rmiybethfci j irj o 

myee'.f, I canao: refuse a nominati m n»ceio a 
Baocertka' ~ewih 

a «t U air rger eenee l one to ihs 

gre*: aad paHiiaUc p»r y Iu ndiitim to m> 
debt of gTautode to partial frieude, I am im- 
pelled, by tbe eoodi : ion of oar coun'ry, to ra- 
ni y pergonal wi _ ere*;* to i> 
goad. 

Tw i year* bave cot pa*«ed away - 
- 

aid intelJ geuce, aeeenjb'ed at I 
av t r-, if ^os-ihl", the caU::. 
oorp*oi.l- lm rcuptetful ttnaeit in**! i 
leaders of 1 party wt kh h.d in 

umpht-d a* to 'he 

roae measure of eooci- 
liatioa wb'Ci would save tbem from civil «ar 
It ask d that before we 

the evils »ni honors of donie6'ic bloodfin-d, 
tho*>e np"U whim it" j baikrn^ c> 

and ru»D, a- d iu'«» «boe ho ties it ww»J 
dee*ila*i.<n auo d a h, »ho.. -=>d to 

•peak Thi' tr>'t: or the i 
pie **< .'r:>j and - 
ca^aLcei»r _ -.t th-re wa* io di 

The »"or<n caiLe ao«>u ua wi'h all i«« fury. *bd 
the wax «o ouue.aui.i) avd tle»r!y foretold, da- 



I oar land. It is « aid bo enm:- 
■ - 
j 'hem it 

| »ot 0|>iciio9. It - i'.'sfied 

il men 

- 
= rnm3n*, and one 

; a h*t BSt« We again 

appeal d to 'h -e ihJ ■ 

•t-nal po*er, to a-e it f . i d* the 

U..iojand to a^'aill thr 
old that be ■ 

- 

eoadce of pabli-' a . 

^e^raa i - s eoir?e of iii s':o '. 

Miaassae, 
f r a time a. lei r 

I 
" been laret I 

- 

- 
•' i>n^ - 

. .• a or reseu tm«- ■ I 
• 
Die war is not «-- ^<-ir part, ia 

'■aL.y.-- r »• y purpose of 

• 
■ Di? or in - trfcritg *i»t» 'he rg its or ©»• 
•' tablieh'd in-titQ'ion« wt «L rat to 

1 and maiat*in the rupremicy of the 
" GjHsticu&m and to preserve the Uuton, with 



" all the dignity, equality and rights of the se- 
" veral States unimpaired, and that as soon as 
" these objects are accomplished the war ought 
" to cease." 

Again the people rallied around the flag of 
the Union. But no sooner were their fears al 
layed than they began anew the factious in- 
trigues — the violent discussions and the uncon- 
stitutional legislation which ever brings defeat 
and disgrace upon Nations. In vain were they 
warned of the consequences of their follies. Jn 
vain did the President implore forbearance and 
moderation. No act was omitted which could 
give energy to the Secessionists, or which would 
humiliate and mortify the loyal men of the 
South. Every t< pic calculated to divide and 
distract the North was dragged into embitter- 
ed debates. Proclamations of emancipation 
were urged upon the President, which could 
only confiscate the property of loyal citizens at 
the South, for none others could be reached by 
the power of the government. The confiscation 
act had already forfeited the legal rights of all 
who were engaged in or who aided and upheld 
the rebellion. These were excited to despera'e 
energy by laws which made their lives, their 
fortunes, the safety of their families and homes 
depend upon the success of their schemes. — 
From the Dragon's teeth, sown broadcast by 
Congress, have sprung the armies which have 
driven back our forces, and which now beleag- 
ures the capital of our country. The acts of 
the National Legislature have given pleasure to 
the Abolitionists, victories to the Secessionists, 
But while treason rejoices and triumphs, defeat 
and disgrace have been brought upon the flag 
of our country and the defenders of our Consti- 
tution. Every man who visited Washington six 
months ago could aee and feel we were upon the 
verge of disaster. Discord, jealousy, envy and 
strife pervaded its atmosphere, 

I went to the camp of the soldiers. Amid the 
hardships of an exhausting campaign — amid 
Bufferings from exposure and want — amid those 
languishing upon beds of sickness, or those 
struck down by the casualties of war, I heard 
and saw only devotion to our Constitution, and 
love for our country's flag. Each eye bright- 
ened as it looked upon the national standard, 
with its glorious emblazonry of stars and 
atripee. From this scene of patriotic devotion 
I went into our national Capitol. I traversed 
its Mosaic pavements ; I gazed upon its walls 
of polished marble ; I saw upon its ceilings all 
that wealth, lavishly poured out, could do to 
make them suggestive of our country's great- 
ness and its wonderful wealth of varied produc- 
tions. Art had exhausted itself in paintiDg and 
sculpture to make every aspect suggestive of 
high and noble thought and purpose. Full of 
the associations which cluster about this vast 



Temple which should be dedicated to patriot- 
ism and truth, I entered its Legislative Halls ; 
their gilded walls and gorgeous furniture did 
not contrast more strongly with therudescen.es 
of martial life than did the glistening putres- 
cence and thin lacquer of Congreseioi al virtue 
contrast with the sterling loyalty and noble self- 
sacrifice of our country's defenders. I listened 
to debates full of bitterness and strife. 

T saw in the camp a heartfelt homage to our 
national flag— a stern defiance of those who 
dared to touch its sacred folds with hostile hand, 
I heard in the Capitol threats of mutilation of 
its emblazonry — by striking down the life of 
States. He who would rend our national stan- 
dard by dividing our Union is a traitor. He 
who would put cut one glittering star from its 
azure field, is a traitor too. 

THE PBESENT CONDITION OF OTJB COUNTRY. 

Let us now confront the facts of our condi- 
tion, and they shall be stated in the language 
of those who brought this administration into 
power, and who are now politically opposed to 
the members of this Convention. After the ex- 
penditure of nearly one thousand millions ®f 
dollars, and the sacrifice of more than one hun. 
dred thousand northern lives, in the language 
of the Evening Post : 

What has been the result ? Our armies of 
the Wee*, the noble victors of Fort Donelson 
and Shiloh, are scatered so that no man kaows 
their whereabout, while the foe they were sent 
to disperse is a hundred miles in their rear, 
threatening the citks of Tennessee and Ken- 
tucky, and even advancing toward one cf the 
principal commercial cities of the free Sta'ee. — 
There is no leadership, no unity of command, 
apparently no plan or col cert of action ia the 
en- ire region we have undertakan to hold and 
defend. At the same time, our »rmy of the 
East, numbering 250,000 troops', fully armed and 
equipped and admirably dn-ciplined, after in- 
vesting the capital of the enemy, has been dri- 
ven back to its original position on the Potom- 
ac, dtcimated iu numbers and unprepared to 
make a tingle vigorous movement in advance. 

And it adds : — 

Now it is useless to shut our eyes to the fact 
that this is a failure, disgraceful, humiliating 
and awful. 

The Evening Journal, the accredited organ 
of the Secretary of State, now admits the truths 
uttered in this Hall when we assembled here 
in February, 1861, 'ruths then derided and de- 
nounced as absurd and treasonable. It says : 

The war has been a stern schoolmaster to 
the People of the Loyal States. We have 
learned the folly of underrating our enemies. 
We have learned that they are equally brave, 
equally hardy, equally quick wuted, equally 
eudowed wi'h martial qualities wi'h ourselves. 
We have learned ihey are terribly in earnest in 
their efforts to achieve their ends. 

The New York Tribune declares that 
" The Country is in peril. Viewed from the 
standpoint of the public estimate of the ' situ- 



5 



atiOD,' it is in extreme peril. The rebels seem 
to be pushing forward their forces along the 
border line rrom the Atlantic to tbe Missouri. 
They are threatening the Potomac and the 
Ohio. They are striking at Washington. Cin- 
cinnati* and Louisville. The simultaneous 
movement is both alarming and encouraging. 
It id alarming fcecau e, through the timidity, 
despondency or folly of the Federal Govern- 
ment, in may become temporarily successful, 
giving to the foe a lodgment in some portion 
of the Free States which may require weeks to 
break up." 

But it is admitted by those who were oppos- 
ed to u«, that debt and defeat are not the hea- 
viest calamities which weigh us down. A vir- 
tuous people and a pure government can bear 
up against any amount of outward pressure or 
physical calamity, but when rottenness and 
corrup* ion pervade the legislative hall or exe- 
cutive department, the heart of the patriot 
faints, and his arm withers. The organ of the 
Secretary of State adoaits : 

"Tnere have beee mistakes There have 
been speculations. Weak men have disgraced, 
and bad men have betrayed the government. 
Contractors have fattened on fat jobs. Adven- 
turers have found t'ae war a source of priva'e 
gain. Moral desperadoes have nocked about 
the NaUonai Capital and lain in wait for prey. 
The ecum of the land has ga'hered about the 
sources of power and defiled them by its rank 
and offensive odor. There hi»s been misman- 
agement in the departments ; mismanagement 
wherever great labor has been performed and 
great responsibilities devolving. Men— even 
Presidents and Cabinet officers and Command- 
ing Generals— have erred because they could 
not grasp the full significance of the drama, acd 
because they were compelled to strike out on 
untrodden paths,"— [Eve. Journal. 

Tke New York World exclaims in an agony of 
remorse : 

It i3 with dismay and unspeakable shame that 
we, who have supported the administration from 
the beginning, observe i f s abuse of its power of 
arrest. There is no such tbiog as either jus- 
tifjiog or ex'enuatiog its conduct in thi* parti- 
cular. Every principle of American liberty, 
every regard for the loyal cause, ev-ry senti 
m nt of justice, every impulse of manhood, 
cries out agaiost it. Tbe man who thinks at 
all is a>isolu-eSy stagsrered tha' these things 
can be. They seem like som« hideous dream 
One can almost fancy that Mepbistophiles him- 
self had got access into the councils of the gov- 
ernment, ai,d by some device, fivsh from the 
pit, had divt-rted its energies from the suppres- 
sion of rebellion to tbe suppression of liberty. 

The New York Times demands a change in 
the Administration, and in the conduct of af- 
fairs. 

I have thus carefully set forth the declara- 
tions and named the witnesses to this awful 
indictment against our rulers, for we meaji to 
proceed with all the care and candor, and all 
the Bolemnitjof a Judicial Tiibunal. 

It is with a sorrowful heart I point to the-e 
daik pictures, n< t drawn by journals of the De- 
mocratic party. God kaowe that as a member 



of that patriotic organization, as an American 
citizen, I would gladly efface them if I could. 
But alas, they are grounded upon truths that 
cannot be gainsaid. Once more, then, our Re- 
publican fellow citizens, in this day of our com- 
mon humiliation and disgrace, we implore you 
as respectfully as in the hour of your political 
triumph listen to our suggestions. We do not 
come with reproaches, but with entreaties. 
Follow the pathway marked out by the Consti- 
tution, and we shall be ex'ricated from our 
perilous position. On the other hand,-ifyou 
will still be governed by those who brought us 
into our present condition, you will learn too 
late that there are yet deeper depths of degra- 
dation before us, and greater miseries to be 
borne than those which now oppress us. Nay 
more, the President of the United States ap- 
peals to us all, in his communica'ion with the 
loyal men of the border States, when he says he 
is pressed to violate his duty, his oath of office, 
and the Constitution of the land— pressed by 
cowardly and heartless men, living far away 
from tbe scenes of war, fattening upon the 
wealth coined from the blood and misery of 
the land, and living in those localities where 
official invest gations show that this people and 
government have been robbed by fraudulent 
contracts. Such men demand that those who 
have suffered most in this contest, who have 
shown the highest and purest patriotism un- 
der the terrible trials of divided families, of 
desolated homes, of ruined fortunes and of 
blood stained fields, should have a new and fur- 
ther evil inflic'ed upon them by the hands of a 
government they are struggling to uphold. By 
the help of God and the people we will relieve 
the President from that pressure. 

NECESSITY FOE PARTY OBGANIZATIONS. 

Au attempt is made to close the ears of our 
Republican friends to our appeals, because we 
act as a political organization. Can we do 
otherwise ? Would not the dispersion of this 
ancient par^y, identified as it is with the growth, 
greatness and glory of our land, be looked upon 
as a calamity, even by our opponents? Did 
not a shadow fall upon our country when it was 
torn apart at Charleston ; and do not men of all 
parties point to its disruption as one of the 
causes of th's unnatural war ? Is i r not just we 
should have a representation in the State and 
National government proportioned to our con- 
tributions to our armies and the treasury ? If 
we elect all of our ticket at this time, we thall 
have no more than onr proportional share of 
political power. It may be said we should meet 
without regard io political organizations, and 
nominate officers. Let the two great parties be 
houest and honorable enough to meet in fair 
and open discussion with well defined principles 



and politics. Then each will serve our country 
as wesl out of power as in power. The vigilance 
kept ahve by party contest guards ag&inst cor 
ruption or oppression. This watchfulness is 
most needed when unusual expenditures of 
money present unusual temptations to the cor 
rupt and selfish. 

For another reason we cannot disband our 
organization. The Union me« of the border 
and more southern States, without distinction 
of party, impiore us not to do so. They tell us 
a triumph of our party now would be worth 
more than victories upon the battle field. It 
would re-assuie their friends, it would weaken 
their opponents. Every advantage gained over 
Abolitionieni puts down the rebellion. Wbile 
they and we know there are many just and pa- 
triotic men in the Republican party, it is still 
true that its success gives power and influence 
to the violent and fanatical, and that their par- 
ty action always goes beyond their party plat- 
form. 

Every fair man admits there is no way of cor- 
recting abuses but by a change of political 
leaders. The Republican party demanded this 
when they charged abuses upon Democratic 
administrations. They should concede the prin- 
ciple now. 

Experience shows Ihat frauds practiced by 
political friends are not punished by men in 
power. It is conceded that gross frauds have 
been committed in different department* of 
government ; that they have brought distress 
upon our soldiers, defeat upon our arms and 
disgrace upon our people. Bat tot one man 
has been punished, or made to feel the power 
of that prerogative which is claimed to be an in- 
cident of war — corruption that has done more to 
destroy Na'ional po^er than armed rebellion 
has gone unscathed. The tentinel who slept 
upon his post, has been sentenced to death — 
the official who closed his eyes to frauds, which 
destroyed armies, is quietly removed, by and 
with the advice of the Senate, and represents 
the Nation';* charac'er at the Capital of a friend- 
ly power! Citizens in loyal States who became 
the objects of su picion or of malignant as- 
saults, have been seized at their home?, drag- 
ged to distant prisons without trial and with- 
out redress, while each convicted plunderer 
walks freely and boldly amo g the people he 
has robbed and wronged. Ma' . •"" ministration 
demands a change of adninistra'i . 

At this time issues should be fairly an 3 bold- 
ly made. It is no dishonor to be mistake d, but 
is disgraceful not to be outspoken. Let . 
war at least settle questions of principle. A few 
months will decide who is right and who is 
wrong now, as the past two years have shown 
who were right and whs were wrong heretofore 



We are in favor of the rights of the State, as 
well as of the General Government ; we are in 
f *vor of local self-governmen*, as well ae of the 
national jurisdiction within its proper sphere, 

While we thus meet as a poli icil organiza- 
tion it is not for partisan purposes. We can 
best serve our country in this rela'ionship. The 
President of the United States will bear witness 
that he has not been pressed or embarrassed by 
us. We have loyally responded to every call 
made on us by constituted authority. We have 
obeyed all orders to reinforce our armie s. When 
we were in power we denounced the higher law 
doctrine — the principle that men might set up 
their wills against the statutes of the land — as 
treasonable. We denounced it when uttered by 
northern men : we are combatting it now when 
it is asserted by the rebellious South. We re- 
pudiate it by submitting to every demand of 
our Government made within the limits of right- 
ful jurisdiction. This obedience has not been 
constrained, but cheerfully rendered, even in 
support of a party and policy to which we are 
opposed. We have struggled to sustain not on- 
ly the letter but the spirit of our laws. We feel 
that we have set an example of loyalty that will 
not be lost upon those opposed to us. Having 
done our duty, we now lemand our rights, and 
we shall at this time sit in calm and fearless 
judgment upon the conduct of our rulers. Ours 
shall not be the language of discord ard vio- 
lence. We deplore the passionate and vindic- 
tive assaults of leading Republican journals upon 
those holding civil or military stations. Above 
all, we protest in behalf of our country's honor 
and dignity, against their insubordinate and 
disrespectful language towards the President 
of these United States. Such langu»ge wrecks 
the authority of Government and tends to anar- 
chy and public disorder. 

For another reason, we cannot disband our 
organization. No o'her party cm save this 
country. It alone has clearly defined purposes 
and well settled principles. It, has been well 
said in our Congressional Address, that under 
its guidance, 

From five millions, the population increased 
to thirty millions. Tae Revolutionary debt was 
extinguished. Two foreign wars were success- 
fully prosecuted, with a moderae outlay and 
small army and navy, and wi hoat the suspen- 
sion of the habeas corpus ; without one infrac- 
tion o f the Consti'ution ; without one usurpa- 
tion of power ; without suppressing # single 
newspaper ; wi'hout imprisoning a single edi- 
tor ; without limit to the freedom of the press, 
or of spf ech in or out of Congress, bat in the 
midst of the grossest abuse of both ; and with- 
out the arrest of a single "traitor," though the 
ilwtford Convention sat during one of the warp, 
a in the o'her Senator* iavired the eDemy to 
"Gr t our Volunteers with bloodv hands and 
welconjo them to Hospitable Graves!" 

Daring all this time wealth increased, busi- 



*Ma of all kinds muPit lfrd, prosperity scriled 
qb every side, t»xea were low, wage* were high, 
the Nonh and the Souh furniahtd a market for 
each other's produces at good pr ce~, public 
iiberfy was secure, private righ'a undisturbed ; 
every man's house was bis castle; the Courts 
were open to all ; no passports for travel, do 
secret police, no spies, do informers, no bas 
tilea ; the rignt to a*semHe pnaceably, the right 
to petition ; freedom of religion, freedom of 
speech, a free bahot, and a Iree press ; and all 
this time the Constitution maintained and the 
Union of the States preserved. 

WET THE REPUBLICAN PABTY CANNOT SAVE THE 
COUNTRY. 

On the other hand, the very character of the 
Republican organ-'zation, makes it incapable of 
conducting the affairs of the Government. For 
a series of y ears, it has practiced a system of 
coalitions, with men differing in principle, until 
it can have no distinctive policy. la euch cha- 
otic m&sees, the violent have most control — 
They have been educating their followers for 
years, throigh the press, not to obey Jaws 
which did not accord with thtir views. How 
caa they demand submission from whole com- 
munities, whiie they conteEd that individuals 
may oppose laws opposed to their consciences ? 
They are higher law men. They insist that the 
contest, iu which we are engaged, is an irre- 
preaaiole one, and that therefore the South 
could not avoid it, unless they were willing at 
the outeet to surrender all that Abolitionists de- 
manded. To declare that this contest is irre- 
pressible, declares that our Fithers formed a 
government, which could not stand. Are such 
men the proper guardians of this government ? 
Have not their speeches and acts given strength 
to the rebellion, and have they not also enabled 
ike leaders to prove to their deluded followers 
that the contest was an iri epressible one ? 

Bat their leaders have not only asserted that 
this contest was irrepres-ible, unless the South 
would give up what extreme Republicans de- 
mand, ('heir local institutions,) but those in 
power have done much to justi y this rebellion 
in the eyes of the world, Tne guilt of rebellion 
is determined by the character of the govern- 
ment against which it is arrayed. Tne right of 
revolution, in the language of President Lin- 
coln, ia a sacred right when exerted against * 
bad government. 

We charge that this rebellion is most -vicked 
beoause it is aga : nst the best Government that 
ever existed. It is the excellence of our Gov 
ernment that makes resistar.ee a crime. Rebel- 
lion is not necessarily wrong. It may be an act 
of the highest vir'.ue — it may be one of the 
deepest depravity. The rebellion of our Fa- 
thers is our proudest boast— the rebellion ot 
our Brothers is t.e humiliation of our Nation, 
is our National disgrace. To resist a bad Gov- 



em men t is patriotism — to resist a good one is 
the greatest guilt. The first is pa'rioism, the 
last is treason. Legal tribunals cm only regard 
resistecce of laws as a crime, bd' i" the forum 
of public sentiment the character of the Govern- 
ment will decide if. tha act :"s treason or pa- 
triotism. 

Our Government and its administration are 
different thiuga ; but in the eyes of the civilized 
world, abuses, weakness or felly in the conduct 
of affairs go far to justify reals' auce. I have 
read to you the testimony of Messrs. Greeley, 
Weed, Bryant, Raymond and Marble, charging 
fraud, corruption, outrage and incompetency 
upon those in power. Those who stand up to 
testify to the incompetency of these representa- 
tives ol a discordant party to conduct the affairs 
of our Government are politically opposed to 
us. Bear in mind that the embairaasments of 
President Lincoln grow out of the conflicting 
views of his Doli deal friend- 1 , and their habits 
and principles ot insubordination. His hands 
would be strengthened by a Democratic victory, 
and it his private praj era are answered, we will 
relieve him from the preaaure of philaatb.ro f ista 
who thirst for blood, and who call for the exter- 
mination of the men, women at d chddren of 
the South. The brutal and bloody linguage of 
partisan editors and political preachers have 
lost us the sympathy of the civilized world in a 
contest where all maikind should be upon our 
bide. 

TurtiDg to the Legisla f ive Departments of 
our government, what do we see? la the his- 
tory of the decline and fall of Nations, there are 
no more striking displays of madness and folly. 
The assemblage of Congress throws gloom over 
the nation ; its continuance in session is more 
disastrous than defeat upon the battle field. It 
excites alike alarm and disgust. 

The public' are disappointed in the results of 
the war. This is owicg to the differing objects 
of the people on the one hand, and fanatical agi- 
tators in and out of Congress on the other. la 
the army, the Union men of the Nor'h and 
South battle side by side, utderone flag, to put 
down rebellion and uphold the Union and Con- 
stitution. In Congress a fanatical majority 
make war on the Union men of the So ith and 
strengthen the hands of -Secessionists by words 
and acts which enable them to keep alive the 
flames of civil war. What is done on the battle 
field by the blocd and treasure of the people, is 
und ne by Senators. Half of the time is spent 
in factious measures designed to dea'rov all 
confidence in the government at the South, and 
the rest in annoying our army, in meddling 
with its operations, embarrassing our generals 
and in publishing undigested and unfounded 
scandal. One party is seeking to bring about 



peace, the other io keep alive hatred and bit- 
terness by interferences. They prove the wis- 
dom of Solomon, when he said : "It is an honor 
to a man to cease from strife, but every fool will 
be meddling." 

This war cannot be brought to a successful 
conclusion or our country restored to an hon- 
orable peace under the Eepublican leaders for 
another reason. Ojr disasters are mainly due 
to the fact that they have not dared to tell the 
truth to the community. A system of misre- 
presentation had been practiced so long and so 
successfully that when the war burst upon us 
they feared to let the people know its full pro 
portions, and they peroiated in assuring their 
friends it was but a passing excitement. They 
still asserted that the South was unable to 
maintain and carry on a war. They denounced 
as a traitor every man who tried to tell the 
truth and to warn our people of the magnitude 
of the contest. 

Now, my Eepublican friends, you know that 
the misapprehension of the North with regard 
to the Sou'h has drenched the land with blood 
Was this ignorance accidental? I appeal .o 
you Republicans, if for years past, through the 
press and in publications which have been 
urged upon jour attention by the leaders of 
your party, you have not been taught to de- 
spise the power and resources of the South ? 
I appeal to you to say, if this teaching has not 
been a part of the machinery by which power 
has been gained ? I appeal to you to answer if 
those who tried to teach truths now admitted 
have not been denounced ? I appeal to jou if 
a book, beyond all others, false, bloody and 
treasonable, was not sent out with the end irse 
ment of all your managers ; and is it not true 
that now, when men blush to own they believed 
its statements, that its author ia honored by an 
official station? It is now freely confessed by 
you all that you have been deceived with re- 
spect to the South. Who deceived you ? Who, 
by fake teachings, ins'illed contempt and hate 
into the minds of our people ? Who stained 
our land with blood ? Who caused ruin and 
distress ? All these things are within your 
own knowledge. — Are their authors the leaders 
to rescue us from our calamities ? Thf y shrink 
back appalled at the mischief thty have 
wrought, and tell you it is an irrepressible 
contest. Teat reason is as good for Jefferson 
Davis as for them. They attempt to drown re- 
flections by new excitements and new appeals 
to our passions. Having already, in legisla- 
tion, gore far beyond the limits at which, by 
their resolutions, they were pledged to stop, 
they now a.-k to adopt measures which they 
have heretofore denounced esuDJist and un- 
constitutional. For this reason they cannot 
save our country. 



As our national calamities thicken upon us 
an attempt is made by their authors to avoid 
their responsibilities by insisting that our fail- 
ures are due to the fact that their measures are 
not carried out, ahhough Government has al- 
ready gone far beyond its pledges. The de- 
mauds of these men will never cease, simply 
because they hope to save themselves from 
condemnation dj having unsatisfied demands. 
At the last session Congress not only abolished 
slavery in the District of Columbia, but, io 
quiet clamorous men, an act of Confiscation 
and Emancipation was passed, which, in the 
opinion of leading Republicans, was unconsti- 
tutional and unjust. By this act the rebels 
have no property — not even their own livet — 
and they own no slaves. But to the astonish- 
ment and disgust of those who believe in the 
policy of statutes and proclamations, these 
rebels still live and fight and hold their slaves. 
These measures seem to have reanimated them. 
They have a careless and reckless way of ap- 
propriating their fives and property, which by 
act of Congress belong to us, in support of 
their cause. 

But these fanatical men have learned that it 
is necessary to win a victory before they divide 
the spoil — and what do they now propose ? As 
they cannot take the property of rebels beyond 
their reach, they will take the property of the 
loyal men of the Border States. The violent 
men of this party as you kaow from experience, 
my conservative Republican friend, in the end 
have their way. They now demand that the 
President shall issue a proclamation of imme- 
dia'e and universal emancipation ? Against 
whom is this to be directed ? Not against those 
in rebellion, for they came within the scope of 
the act of Congress. It can only be applied to 
those who have been true to our Union and our 
Flag. They are to be punished for their loyal- 
ty. When we consider their sufferings and 
their cruel wrong* at the hands of the seces- 
sionists, their reliance upon our faith, is not 
this proposal black wi 1 . h ingratitude ? 

The scheme for an immediate emascipvJon 
and general arming of the slaves throughout 
the South is a proposal for the butc'aery of 
women and children, for scenes of lust and ra- 
pine ; of arseu aad murder unparalleled in the 
history of the wo -Id. The horrors of the French 
Revolution would become tame in comparison, 
Ds effect would not be confined to the walls of 
cities, but there wuuld be a widespread scene 
of horror over the vast expanse of great States, 
involving abke theloy.il and seditious. Sach 
malignity and cowardice would invoke the in- 
terference of civilized Europe. History tells of 
the fires kindled ia the name of religion, of 
atrtici iea commit; ed under the pretexts of or- 



der or liberty ; but it ie now urged that scenes 
bloodier th n ibe worli has yet eeen shall be 
enacted in the caae of philanthropy ! 

A proclam ition of general and armed eman- 
cipation at this time, would be a crael wrong to 
the African. It is now officially declared in 
Presidential addressee, which are fortified b7 
Congressional action, that the negro cannot 
live in the etjoyment ot the full privileges of 
life amoDg the white race. It i3 now ad a 
af:er onr loss of infinite blood and treasure, 
that the great problem we have to settle is no' 
the slavery, but the negro question. A terri- 
ble question, not springing from statutes or 
usages, but growing out 0- the nnchangable 
distinction of race. It is discovered at this 
day, in Republican Illinois, that it is right to 
drive him from its eoil. It is discovered by a 
Republican Congress, after convulsing cur 
country with declarations in favor of his equal 
rights, and asserting that he was merely the 
victim of unjust laws, that he should be sent 
away from our land. The issue is now changed. 
The Sou^h holds that the A'rican is fit to .ive 
here as a slive. Oar Republic in Government 
denies that he is fit to liye here at alL 

The Republican party cannot save the coun- 
try, because through its powerful Press it 
teaches contempt for the Laws. Constitution 
and constituted authorities. They are not only 
des : roying the Uuion, but they are shaking and 
weakening the whole stru2turesof State as well 
as National Government, by denunciations of 
every law and of all authority that stand in the 
way of their pas-nous or their purposes. They 
have not only carried d scord into our churches 
and legislative hall-?, but into our armies. 
Every General who a greee wi=h them upon the 
subject of slavery is upheld in every act of in- 
subordination and eustaiaed against the clear- 
est proofs of incompetence, if not of corruption. 
On the other hand, every cotnmiader who dif- 
fers from their views n] point of 
slavery, is decouii nly for inc 
tency, but eonatantlj d< in every act. 
No mm is allowed to be a Christian : no ma: is 
regarded as a statesman ; nc nun is suffered 
unmolested to do h s soldier unless 
he supports measures which no one 
to urge eighteen months since. Th^ 
that martial law is superior to constitutional 
law, :hat the wills of Generals in the field are 
abC7C all restraints ; but they d-maid for them- 
selves the right to direct and con'r 
Generals. They claim, aninflaenee higher than 
that they will allow to the laws of the land. — 
Are these displays of insubordination and vio- 
lence safe at this time ? 

The weight of annual taxation will test se- 
verely the loyalty of the people of the North. 



Repudiation of our fioancial obligations would 
cause disorder and endless moral evils. Pecu- 
niary rights will never be held more sacred than 
personal righ'e. Repudiaricn of the Con 
tion involves repudiation of National de ] 
i's guaranties o* rights of property, of 
son, and of conscience. Tho moment v.. 
the world that we do not hold the Const, 
to be a sacred compact, we not only deatrc aD 
sense of secirity, but we turn away from c J, 
shores the ?ast tid.3 of foreign immigrate ..-- 
It comes here ncv not because there are not 
o her skies as bright and other lands as pro- 
duc'ive as oar-:. It seeks here security for 
freedom — for righ's of conscience — for immuni- 
ty from tyrannical interferences, and from 
meddling impertinence. The home and fire- 
side rights heretofore enjoyed by the imeriein 
people — er joyed under protection of a written 
Constitution, have made as great and prosper- 
ous. I entreat yon again touch them not with 
sacrilegeous " hands ! We are thr atened wih 
the breaking up of our social system, with the 
overthrow of State and National Governments. 
If we begin a war upon the compromises of tae 
Constitution we must go through wi f h it. It 
contains many restraints upon our natural 
rights. It may be arked by what right do the 
six small New Engl did S'ates, with a population 
less than that of New York, have six times its 
power in the Senate, which has become the 
eon r rolling branch of government ? By what 
natural right do these States with their small 
united populations and limited territoi 
lance the power of New York. Pennsylvania, 
Ohio, Edinoi->. Indiana and Michigan ? The 
vast del : a awing o \: of this war will give rise 
to new and angry discussions. It will be held 
almost exclusively in a few A'lantic Statee. 
L"ok upon the map of the Union and see how 
small is the territory in which it will be owned, 
'•Ye tre to be divided into creditor and debtor 
and the last will have a vast prer 

of power and strength. U 
there is no taxation upon this national debt, and 

ire is thrown off upon o'her property. It 

where many of the government eon= 

^d, and where io. some 

-:?, gross frauds have been practiced. It 

.largely where the Constitution gives a 
ortional share of politic »1 po*er. W::h 
all the?-, elements of discord, is it wise to as 
i ionallaws or bring authority into 
I rafe to encourage the forma- 

tion of irrepres:ible committees, made up of 
impertinent men, who thrust themselves into 
the conduct of public affairs and try to dictate 
to legal rulers ? or wdl you tolerate the enroll- 
ment of armies which are not constituted or or- 
ganized by proper authorities ? Are such 



10 



thrag , T 

forme-- . ■ i ear. at 

thsscr 

- 
io dang r. I ' 

d of all 
government of Si" : re per: 7 in- 

leea the 

for inhorr:- ; Did the 
in the ; - - . . • i I 

itetamgfr tans, wi ... i 

oar ;x-r_r I 

.-.ionary 
aetioa. Oar sys'em of r 

... evile in '.-. ski . n 

^z^: :z: ?j_2.tt ;2.:: : -^ ro do. 

Mr, Pj .be asked vhat ] 

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. I ■ 1 4i 1 ;■-:-■_ to £ - 

and upnold I 

preserve she . : _ a o&e- 

- :o j»j and 

_ 

_ : are . - 
ttem&etves is h -roar Gove: 

b I - 
in . Lfaong - ... - of the 

do no : nd n 

. _ _ _'. En these 

. 2i i _ L bai 

; we will revive the . agio 

enihe armi oflojal Eie2 ':." = b 2a the: 

roar of. . _ sea and irme 

- 

■ 
iorica upon land 1 . : its 

The words if Coke a . 

Mansfield, hare : . . da of timr . 

strecg . 

whil . 1 1 

... _ 

throe* ..:.:! . 

was in = _ I i.-_i2iei; tu 

■ _ - 

Lard M±n-i t iaftrfatt 

its, an: " .ed "37 net 1 



b x a words which eh ecked 

. 1 alsoee. 

aredthal mexj i eb entitled to 

■ ■ 120WQ procedures 

a ■ rid the calm 

uaehjkbn amidst 

_ • 

- 

- rebuked, the 

- tre \ a aam 
storm sj: stalled ! Li- 

- 

ridoah ; dan- 

- - i.uoa ot tiie S "a - e woere there 

. l*w, ir whs tzne "-hiog, no 

ilch inaivid- 
I uuls may be prote : 3tat 

too, «iD we stand oiimly no amidji 
We cava ■sviratd th: 

- £-cei 'heir 

abed asm 

- - ■-■ roj ed 

Feat obe- 

l 

He who withholds • - ' ehees> 

. iaaand or* his G 

3 

1 - a 
. . property or :: 

ins gates . ssistai 

-- B wo have fa 

11 purpose* 
rder are 

.a onr reach. If we w r re as 

- ■■-..- • ieDua- 

- - b • 

- D 

sea";* : ' loyal 

We shall continue to 
mstaneee _an mistake 

t fear. •'• e" have 2 r > greater 

a. Oar arms 

.- . ran*, jur for- 

'lllii: - 

1 

'/mark 
ox position. Oppo-ed to the 
. . - Lineal re hai 
tained .. ring wish the the Admit 

- r e wag, 
we have che 

.7 we are pi ing : rtfc 

: r arnueaia 

the fit] - we are 

- hands 
I a the 



world before re. "tiring 

I on r oar blood, onr treasures u Icor 1 
.• r . ■ 1 1 : -: lion in 1 

..". And 
- 

- ived, onr law 
dieated, and peace ones ■ atend to onr 
land. We dc 

bat we 
- we act 
1 - -. . . ; - -: r.ient. Anni- 

07 the motto we have placed Bf 

- — : The Ui:.. the C 1 md ths 

. — ; _- - - - - - - - 

■ - - port of a People »ho cannot *e 
i-if or .l.ii :; :_e :e>:hia?5 0: :ae last •-»» 
rears 



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12 



Tans far, the North has had greatly the ad- 
vantage in the division of the;e acquisitions, 
and the political power wh ch emanates from 
thecreauon o''S a'es, made from their l-mira. 
Vive tree and five slave S-*tes h ive been erect- 
ed from territories gained since the adoption o v ' 
our uriedtutiou. The free Sates have the 
w jole of the Prcific coast, and tha largest of 
value and extent in • ur i ed 

lie nor.h of a line which bouodi the region 
where slavery can ba employe'?, and lie, too, up- 
o i the pathway of European and northern im- 
migration. Our acquisitions since 1773, have 
fon e ^ ed fche S>u f liera S ates and Territories to 
882,245 square mil^s, while the North has ex- 
P* n . d ^ *2 i' 204 ' 204 aqnare mile*. A-. E umiog 
that the Nor ,hwe-jfern territory belonged to Vir- 
ginia, and deducting tba- from she area of the 
South, it will be found that the South has in- 
creased less than fifty per cent, and Xhe N irth 
nearly 1100 per cent, in extent, since the R-vo- 
xP°2" oe TilB Soutn has relinquished io the 
North 251 671 square miles, constituting the 
present Spates of Oaio, Indians, Illinois, Michi- 
gan and Wisconsin. The North has never re- 
linquished one foot of the original territory, and 
in the divisions of that which has been acqured 
i; has succeeded in g-«iniog the largest propor- 
tion „ 

This controversy does no 1 grow out of a claim 
by either party that the Constitution shall be 
changed, but with regard to the eonatrnction 
that should be given to that instrument. Che 
South claim that they have a right to i ake their 
elave3 info ah the territories, by virtue of the 
Constitutional compact, as construed by the 
Supreme Court, and because slavery originally 
existed ia t e o, with the exception of those 
gained from M-xico. They deny that slavery 
was abolished when they were added to our 
Unioo, and they deny the power »f Congress to 
legislate against those rights of property which 
were recognized in our whole country at the 
time of th<i Revolution, axid which were upheld 
by the laws of every S a'e, save one, when the 
Constitution was fjrrned 

The South does not ask to extend slavery. 
Iney say it exists in the Ttrrrories. The Re- 
publicans assert that slavery shall not be ex 
li Q m " They conten< J «-hat it does nor, exist Ml 
the lerntories, but not content with leaving 
this question to ihe decision of the appointed 
tribunals, they demand legislation ia the form 
o? provisos or declarations in the nature of that 
contained in the ordinance regarding the north ■ 
west, which assume the existence of slavery in 
the dwpu-ed regions, in the absence of positive 
prohibitions. They show a distrust <u ih-ir 
own constitutional constructions and historical 
statements, by demanding Congressional iter- 
ferences and restraints, aiid under the cry of 

No Extension 1" they are in fact agitating for 
repeal am d restrictions which are of no signifi- 
cance unless slavery has the legal e^ence 
which they deny. 

v2 ur i f ^' hera dis P°sed of the same or similar 
dimculties, by compromises. Adjustments have 
been made from time to time in the progress of 
our government, The condition otoor affairs 
force* upon us the alternative of cospromUe 
or civil war. Let us co-itempla'e the lat'er al- 
ternative. We are advised »>y the conservative 
bta.es ot Virginia and Kentucky that if force 
is to be used it must be exerted against the 
united S mh Ir. would be an act of folly and 
madness, entering upon ths coated, to uuder- 
r«wg our opponents, and (has subject ourselves 
to the disgrace of defeat in an inglorious war- 



fare Let ue also see if successful coercion by 
the jUor-h is lees revolutionary than successful 
secession by the Soo/h. Shall we prevent revo- 
lution by being foremost in oversowing tie 
principles of our govern i ent, and all that' 
makes it valaable to our people, and distin- 
guiehesit among 'he nations of the earth ?— 
u ^ou whom are we to wige war ? Our own 
comy-rymeD, whooe white population ia three- 
fold that ol rhe whole country in time of the 
Revolution Their courage has never been 
questioned m any contest in which we have 
b*eo engaged. The* battled by our side with 
equal valoi in the Revolutionary struggle in 
the last war with Great Britain, and in tbf Mexi- 
can conflict. Virginia sent her sons, under the 
, command of Washing on, to the reliefof be- 
leaguered Boston. Alone, the South defea'ed 
. the last and most desperate effort of British 
power to divide our country, at the battle of 
New Orleans. From the days of Washington to 
| tins time, they have furnished their full pro- 
portion of soldier* for the field, of statesmen 
ior the Gabuet, and of wise and patriotic Sena- 
tors lor our legislative halls. 

It is only bigot' ed ignorance that denies the 
equality of their ..public men to tho.-e of the 
North, to as-uime that our brethren in fitVeu 
o, a r es lack 'be capacity to understand, and the 
ability to protect their own interests, is to as- 
sume that our government, is a failure, and 
ougnt to be overturned. I', is to declare that 
nearly one-half of oar people are incapable of 
self-government. They have avast extent of 
ler.ile land, producing not only the cotton, rice 
and sugar cultivated in the United Sta'es, but 
a great abundance of the cereals and of animal 
food. The census of 1850 shows that they pro- 
duce more than one-half of the Iodian corn and 
or the live stock raised in the U ,ited States, 
and that they also manufactured one-six'h of 
th^ cotton cloth, one-quar'.er of the raw and 
one sixth of the wrought iron made in our 
country. Ia addiioa they have a vast abun- 
dance or coal, iroo. copper and lead, and every 
element of wealth aad strength They have 
availed themselves of these advantages to an 
ex ent tar exoeedicg what is understood by the 
people of the North. 

I beg those who have been misled by constant 
and designed misrepresentation to study 'be 
statistics of our country, and they will see how 
grossly they have been deceived. A war upon 
'hem would lead to still greater development of 
their industry in compe ition with our own. as 
j the late war wrh Ore a' Britain made the United 
S-ates her most formidable compe' itor in man- 
ufac'uring and i a toe arts. When we compare 
our local legislation with theirs, we have rea- 
son to blu-h. The united debts of the slave 
States, excepting Virginia and .ui isour's, are not 
equal to that of Pennsylvania, and their taxa- 
tion l«ss than that imposed upon the people 
of the S-a-e of New York ; and ye-, they have an 
extend- d and eff c ive system of internal im- 
provement, while thfty have avoided the ruin- 
ous competition growing oat of an undue num- 
ber of railroad*?, &c. 

L; what w k y ia this warfare to be conducted ? 
Nmehave b.ea mad enough to propose to 
mu iter armies to occupy their territory; Great 
Britain tried that in the Revolution, when the 
population of the South was less than 2,000 - 
000. She a tempted invasiou again in the lat'e 
war, when their numbers were leas than 3 500 - 
000. Nay, more, while she armed Indian sav- 
ages to carry murder and rapine into the 
homes of the North, she attempted to excite a 



13 



sei vile insurrection in the Sou ( h. For this we 
cursed her brutal humanity. Her owd indig- 
nant statesmen expressed their abhorrence on 
the floor of Parliament ; and yet, at thia day, 
thoee who quote British journal* "0 influence 
American opinions, have intimated ilia" thtre 
might be a gratification of their hate in the 
burning homea of murdered families of their 
own cjunti ymer, or by cuttibg the embai k 
ments of ihe Misaissipti and submerging their 
land. 

But eome have suggested wrh complaisant 
air that the South could be easily subjugated 
by blockading th>-.ir ports with a few stups of 
war. Jj'it these gentlemen study the geogra 
phy of our country. While the Atlantic coast 
fine of the northern States ia 851 miles, that of 
the South, including the Guli" of Mexico, is 
3,076. We Lave 189 and they have 249 harbors. 
Great Britain, wi h her immense fleet, attempt- 
ed blockade, and tailed. But, assuming the 
success of this measure, who are to be tbe suf- 
ferers ? Are we waging war upon 'he South or 
upon the North ? Upon the southern planter, 
or upon the northern merchant, manufacturer 
or mechanic ? This coasiing trade is the chiat 
support of nor hern commerce — the prize which 
Great Britain ttruggled so long and so persist- 
ently to gain. Not only do our ships carry the 
products of tbe South, bu', at, tLis tim^, our 
manufacturers annually consume of their cot- 
ton to the amouut of more than $40,000,000. 
Ia the hand* of northern carriers and artisans, 
this becomes worth more than $150,000,000 
The whole price for the cotton crop received 
from all 'he world, about $200,000,000 each year 
is paid out to -he labor aid industry of the 
North. We can inflict great misery upon the 
South, but could human ingenuity devise a war- 
fare more destructive to all the interests of th3 
northern States of this Confederacy ? But, say 
our Republican friend j , these evils may be 
averted by our internal channels. If we thus 
evade the blockade of the Soutb, to what end 
is all it cost brought on us ? Is it an object to 
disturb the course of trade, in order to ruin 
northern seamen and merchants and cities ? 

But let us leave these pecuniary considera- 
tions for others more weighty with every pa- 
triot. Upon what field shall this contest be 
waged ? Upon what spot shall American shed 
American blood ? Where, on this broad conti- 
nent, shall wo find the arena, where every as- 
sociation and memory of the past will not forbid 
this fratricidal contest ? Or, when unnatural 
war shall have brought upon our people its 
ruin, and upon our nation its shame, to what 
ground shall we be brought at last ? To that we 
should have accepted a; the o set. 

The question is simply this : — Shall we have 
compromise after the war, or compromise with- 
out war? Shall we be aided in this set'lement 
by the loss of national honor, the destruction 
of individual interest, 'h9 shedding of blood, 
and by carrying misery and mouning into the 
homes of our people ? Mr. President, the honor 
of theNi rtb, the parties to the con'roversy, and 
the obj ct in dispute, demand a compromise of 
this difficulty. I say the honor of the North 
demands a conciliatory policy. When our Con- 
afcitutioa was formed there was but one free 
State. To day there are nineteen free and 
flf een slave States. Then there were but 
two Senators from the free States ; now we 
have a majority of eight in the Jenate, and tins 
will soon be increased. Then there were but 
eight representatives from the free States ; 
under the census of 1860 we will have the pro- 



if 151 members to 95. Then our popu- 
lation was about equally divided between 
tbe tort hern and southern S'a'es (he North 
1,968.455, the South 1,961,372;) to-day we num- 
ber more than 18,000,000, they about 12 000.- 
000 

These results are due not alone to natural 
causes, but to the policy 'hat favored the com- 
mercial interest and immigration from other 
lands. This policy has ever been upheld loyally 
by the South, and history tells us by whom it 
was opposed. Would it not be base and cow- 
ardly to withhold at this day those courte>-iea 
and that consideration which we showed in 
the dajsof their comparative strength? Did 
not one of our distinguished Senators then de- 
clare that comity demanded that we should per- 
mit them to travtl through our State with their 
slaves, and that, therefore, be was opposed to 
the repeal of the law which allowed them to re- 
main here for a period of nine months ; and did 
not his colleague, then a member of the House 
of Representa ive», vote against allowing a pe- 
tition for abolition of slavery in the District of 
Columbia to be read or referred ? Were bills 
designed to embarrass the exercise of their 
rights to reclaim fugitives, then found upon 
the Statute bo< ks of the Northern S*ates ? By 
the increase of our population, under the ad- 
justment of the Constitution, the power and 
control of the destinies of our country, are 
placed in the hand of the North. Does not 
every sentiment of patrio'ism aud of honesty 
demand that we shall exercise this power in a 
spirit of conciliation and forbearance ? And is 
it not a just cause for alarm to our Southern 
brethren to find men and journals who stood 
by them in 'he pas f , now becoming their most 
bitter and unscrupulous as sailants, when their 
pohtical power is weakened ? 

It grows out of the acquisition of territories 
not contemplated by the Constitution — out of 
an expansion of our territory from 820,680 to 
2,936,166 square miles. In the progress of our 
country this has given rise to conflicting views, 
and our leading statesmen have, at different 
times, held inconsistent opinions. Mr. Cal- 
houn, at one time, decided, while a member of 
tbe Cabinet, that Congress had the power of 
legislating upon terri orial questions. At a 
later day he took the opposite ground. John 
Quincy Adams, who opposed the admission of 
Missouri as a slave Sate in 1836, on the occa- 
sion of the admission of Arkansas, used the 
following language : 

"Me Chairman — I cannot consistency with 
my sense of my obligations as a citizen of the 
United States, and bound by oath to support 
their Constitution, 1 cannot object to the ad- 
mission of Arkansas into the Union as a 
slave State ; I cannct propose or agree to make 
it a condition of her admission that a Conven- 
tion of her people shall expunge (his article from 
her Constitution. She is entitltd to admission 
as a slave State, aa Louisiana and Mississippi, 
and Alabama and Missouri, have been admitted, 
by virtue of that article in the treaty for the ac- 
quisition of Louisiana, which secures to the 
inhabitants of the ceded territories all the 
right--, privileges and immunities of the origi- 
nal citizens of the United State*, and stipulate* 
for their admission co nformably to that princi- 
ple, into the Union. Louisiana was purchased 
as a country wherein slavery was the establisn- 
ed law of tne land. As Congress have not pow- 
er in time of peace to abolish slavery in the ori- 
ginal States of the Union, they are equally des- 
titute of the power in those parts of the terri- 



14 



trrj ceded bv Franee to the United S'ate«, by 
the i »hjp of Louieiar a, where clavery exited 
at the acqoisi'ion SUvi-r* is, iu this Uoion, 
the m* j-«f. t f internal legislation in 'he S r a'es, 
and in peace is cogn'Z*bl-> by Congress only, as 
it is tac-.tlv i < 1 r<i'i-d aud protec ed "here it ex . 
lets by ibe Cons'rntion of the United S-a'<-s, ; 
and as it niiig ; es in tbtir interconr-e witn 
other naMo- s. Aikar si", therefore, come*, and , 
has the right to come into the Uii >n with her ' 
elavee and her slave laws. I' is written io tbp I 
bond, ai d howt-ser I may lament that it ever ! 
w»s so written, I must fanhfally perform its \ 
obligalic DB " 

The region acquired by tbe LorisJaxia pur- 
chase, exteiding from tbe Gnlf of Mexico to 1 
tbe Can»di^. hue, srd, on its Nor'heru limit, j 
reaching from tbe llissi-si.-ri 'o tbe Pacific, [ 
compret endp most that is valuable arid impart i 
»n r . of the remaining territories. Ci iz^is of 
tbe S*>uib hold *s confidently and sit ctreh 'hit ; 
they are en'i'led fcn cairv their slaves in'o 'hit- 
region, as dnes tbe Repubbc*n that tbey h .ve I 
Co such right, ^e have tad, heretofore, fimi- \ 
lar qu*e ions of jnnsdictioo between our ovn : 
aDd t reign govf-rnttentB. When Gre* r Bri a'o : 
e< izt-d, in the Nnr'hea**, a portion . f onr <-ou-i 
try, wii-h «e held by the sacred tile guinea by ! 
tbe'hlo d ai.d suffering* of theP.evolu ioo, eve- j 
ry Aroer'C'ii Relieved i _ was an rit j'ist ltvar-'or, ; | 
but. «e *r justed the difficulty bv a new bou> d* j 
r y # Agaif, «ben sbe made a claim on a p^r of 
the paine, Loni^mr.a i>urcb.*?e on the noribwest 
oast, w< denied i s ji-Mic->, bu-. *i-ld-d uj to 
tbe jofii-d-c ion of the cro»n 167 365 ► qnar*- 
mil-f of me n os f vahiaMe p»r' of me, P cfic 
Co*-', uclodit g is fii e-t harb >rs aid grea"es r 
commereiil 'twill ies. We g»v~ up an are- 
gr^*'<r than Ne« E gland, New Yotk, P 

w Jersey combined. Snail we yield 
to a foreign nation and to a system of govern- 
ment coudemi ed bj onr Con&utntion, wi.a, w- 
will T.ot concede to onr own eonntrymen ? Shall 
we. 'or »he sake of pesc >, sut jt-ct Vast region* 
tr> pri cities i,f g.)»eronjeiit autago istic to our 
own, and then cestroy onr Union hy refusing a 
comlvromi-e wbieh would give to - h-< Sorx'h toe 
occupation of a lets valoaole territory ia con 
tideration of tbeir giving op what the believe 
to hetbe-r cms i u'touttl light to ocoiov < be 
whole ? 1* there auv rea-oj «-hy we sn<>>.ld oe 
le-8 conciltfctory row tban «e hav-i ceeo hereto- 
fore, »nd are there cot obvious ores why we 
Bbould be mi re to, in view of our relative i o* 
er.? Dii'tie m-n »h » now rai-e the cry of no 
compr^m-se and vo conce-ri >n, hold th*t Ian 
guage w»eu «e had a coutroversy wi h the 
ero*u of Greit Bri'ain ? 

L"*' us lo k a r 'he ohj^cMons which are urgfd 
to 'ris V" 1 t; v - I r i" sa d ib's qu>8'ion was d^- 
cided a T thel»*a el c ion. QoestioDB of coofti- 
tntioi al la* ire. not to he dt c ded hy elec i >ijs ; 
jf ,h»v vi-tre. our Con«nuti.>n would be wor h 
less, »nd a,ll i » gnarwatees 'f the rith» of 
States ii d of individual-, o* righ"8of conscience 
Bi-d reheione libGi»y, wight oe anBihiUt^n.— 
N^i'berisi' t ru «» th*t the late, canvass fbow-* 
th* f . me popnlii wll is o no-ed to eomoromise. 
Sir Lincoln was made PresirteBt. by a onstitn- 
tinnal *o e, and ii entitled to onr lojal and 
cbe-jfnl support, aid he shtll have, it.; hU' 
this i- no- be oi lv revolt of the la'e contest. 

Jf two millions of voters c'edar. d ht-oirelvei 
in fav r of t», e principles put for'h f y h'B part , 
three rnilliO' k derlared themselves opposed to 
them ; if tbe Eepmblksana trixmihed in the 
ehoi. e'of tte Ext-cirivt-, we tiiiimpbfrd in gai - 
kg CoL^reet, which makes the lawa he w buuad 



fo carry ov.t } wiifaont regard to bis own viewe. 
If all t ar'iee will jield '0 'he retults f'f thf> last 
elecion, and thb President elec. will d-elare 
ha' he will be goverr-ed by the will nf the peo- 
ple and not by the will of a par y, and that be 
will not esert the irfloence of hispl*ce*o de- 
feat measures of ompToniise, peace will be re- 
s'ored to our land. I bold tha f those who 
pun' to the Chicago pla form, and not to the 
Co s'iiu'ion, as tbe gnine of his coi < , ue 1 ', do 
him a base wrong. I know that there are some 
tha' treat him ae a man wih manacles upoH 
his batd-" ; who boast that tbey told in the 
Chicago pi *t form a chattel mortgage noon his 
cout-cience and h'a ooinioo. All hotest men 
rfedare, if he a'low« the d-cl '.rations t/rr for h 
in the beat of apolitical c >n'est, to control hia 
actions against fci-< own judgment, hf will de- 
-erve impeachment and d<-giad*t]OQ from hia 
high office. I repel, for one, ih« impu'a'iona 
thii; made agii'js^ Mr Lit^coln, and the claims 
tt,us imnudtn'ly put f. rtb. to Dtr-onal and pe- 
culiar lines on bis viewa as m< s ? . iij'iriona to 
tiis honor a-.d hi* inHa-" ce B fore theeltc- 
■lon, it was sa'd hy hip friends be wis the man 
he t fittei to adjast th^ j irriog coi flicfi- of the 
day. Liet h'm hen couuntie >o held tbe nation- 
al and ci?passiona'e position which was then 
claimed for bim. We iovok-i the Repu licana 
uot to charge that he will be a traitor to his 
coontrj tymokiog ap*r ! isan creed, andtiot the 
i-i.lemu oath of his office, the guide of hie coa- 
diiC. 

It is also said fha* *he honor ard r'igr.ity of 
onr government will not permit m-;ai-ures of 
compromise at thif rcrment. Wbei ibe pro- 
ven- ciffi^.nl y w»s oily thiea*tn% d. we wtre 
•old, in antwt-r to rnr appeals- foran a<t]astn.euf, 
'bd,t, lh^re was no caijse for ala>m : hat the 
So'nh c uld l o r b dri en on of the Union ; the 
1 i o - c 'oj- f re : now, that 

-ix S it'is !:a^e, w;;bdr itvo, we are 'old it is too 
li'e, t bat tbe d'gi i y <»f tbe govert men' will not 
ptro i- it to make cuueetsvos. The error coa- 
-i-ts in contountliijg tbe ac ion of a few .-Uatps 
wi'h tbe posi ion of 'he whole South. We ad- 
mit that loiCiBiot offer Donotir.ii ioo al com- 
pr<imipes to tbe S a es that de -lare tpem-elvea 
ou'ride of the p*]e of tbe Couatuution. Bit is 
h-s atii^uTe of Sou h Oirolioa to be nrged 
H2iiu-t. 'be aopeals of pa'rwuo men ia Virgi- 
o:a? Are we to driee tne birder S'atea in r O 
c<iuc-ro i if action with those w io Oefy the pow- 
er of your goveromeo- ? Are we io give an 
im >ulse to rt-vohi'ion by ii d ff rence -«» 'h«5 ap- 
^it-al' of patno ic men and hy inpuhirg ttrt-atg 
o F iv.ercion, and h> irri a^j gdi-iplays. f powtr? 
Wtiicn can^-e was belp-d at the S u h b» the 
eiid--r o' arms ny onr uwn Sta'e, — thai of Union 
or ihtt <jf S^ces-ion ? All kuow that the future 
a'e of onr country depm d- upjn the acion cf 
1^ border S aet-, ai.d while ih« beam trembles, 
New y >:k thrown vs sword into the scale aid 
inclines it in favor of revolution. Th'« called 
frcm the conservative Goven or of Virginia the 
de.] i ration hat " j. o hing mat t as occurred in 
the progress of thir c 'D'cov^i-y ba- tiem worse 
•im-'i and hss ex'-usahle. If N-w Y rk dfBirea 
•o preserve the Uuion, a te^d'T of mea »ud 
money, ui dir the promp'iigf oi paesion, pre- 
judice and exciceoicnr, will not prtdoce the re- 

Bill '." 

We do not ask concessions for men in open 
re»i-t»i.ce to gcernmeut, *>n' to tt o e wt o are 
s-rugglu g for 'he prt-servaion of •■ur Union. 
S aii we have no eympahy for tbo-e upon 
• hi.ro tbe «h>lH weight of ibis con e*t fallo ? 
Can we lisien, unniovcd, to th.e enireatien of 



15 



t*e Go»eri>i r of Maryland, of the Re-natorof 
Kentucky, or refuse to second *be pa - 7.< 
forts of Virginia? Can we so ennrt ly (brgei 
the pur*, bi-tory of out ronr>t?y, that we- car 
etar d npon the point of pride agiiir.k: 
nho-e ei'izena ba tied wi h onr fa'here and 
poti r<-r] fin wi*h tin m 'heir 1>1i o J npor, 1 1 
of onr H Atf-, amid 'be Btgblande of the Hi 
aud ou ■ of Baratog*? I a-k tbe old 

men »itbin tbetonnd of my v< ice, »o »U' 
quarter did yon look for Bjmpa'by dnrire'b* 
last war with Gre*' Bti'ain, *V<=n M> 
wae assailed »; orj the sboren of Eiie ki d Ou 
tano, ai d «l- iplued tooi s, who ti>>t! 

■acoeasfrilly forgM apainat Nap boo in the 
PcIiUk-tjI*, invaded ns with CO-ooera'il g fl> e's 
by tbe cbaoiiel of L.ke Cbamotaiu ' Was ii no' 
to the 8 a'f-s of ibe Boa'b? I* i' well thai 
8 ate* whch 'ben refused 'o allow I] <r njih'i* 
to p*** tbeir dwtj h rders. to c- nib-i* a couiUjou 
enen>y, should be so f romp', to tender them now 
to batile »gaj:,rr, our owncoon'n n 

Bat it ie urged, &e a farther of j<-c ( ;or>, tha 1 
a*' i tif- ina'ai c(- of i I le Siu'b,«e {,!,<■(• v.i mpTi - 
mi <d 'bi-i 'on oriel question, a d 'ba' i ba- 
been nii'Tiie to the *djus'meni, >1 bough it wes 
made a' its owr reqne»t, and against >l,c, wi-b^s 
of *t>» Nor'h. Tin- m'Mta'emt n' ban hei d moat 
ii ji ri">.n i r. i'a ii fit" u ■•<■ uion tbe J o v lie u ii rt. 

Q vi r' • r of New Y> ik, in hi* late d i 
*»ge, says, 'hie S a'e atrennouBly opp-t-ed t*e 
i intent of ibe- con- premise hue of 1820. 
Iti thiB Le ic n i-'sker. ; it wan Voted 
i orU i rn 8' i/a'cr, and 'he O' ly 
tiiDfn Mii< In*- came from tbe hub Tbe 
Nvw Yo?b Senator* vo'<d *gaiL"t ibetdmis- 
sion of Mi aouri.even af'.er «be paseageof Lf >c 
eriabJirbn m ibe li e a' 36degie*e30m 

• of this hi.e was a i or'hern 
man vn»ed for 
while opposition 'o it it conin g from tt t 
I roe that af tr ibe aoie-i d 

meDt was ergra''«d on ibe Vili, irary 
iru men votd >g»iust, tbe act, Nit •►&.' 
f a» i piiOH'ii'ti 'o Uf if]nii>-)( d of Mif>»onjj, 
aidi.it to ti e 1 i.e. Ttn Bootfa v/a>« r;<D)tell«d 
to acfi de to it ro *eenre tie admireion 
Bonri ; »n' i' alweys it-lit v to be an ii fm ge- 
men 1 lipoij i i xigti'a Even wb»n tfis uju ra- 
tion wa- mid-) 'o 'he N rb, tt,<- Seoatnr* f»om 
thi- ai.d o'ber n< r h<-rii Bn'^, ^bo evn 
erafied io tbe bill vbatia called b< c n\\> r i-nn-t- 
lii e, vo'id against the ac 1 :. 1 h> 8«'U h did vm 
even R»iu \>y 'bix coijce-eion »bev<-tea of »e>r h 

fin S'Dl MB, HWpt '«0, (')PfniUi N-W f? »rji t» 

•hire aiid one from Bbode L-laod. Mr Luc oh 

»du>i a »bat ibiy <'|jpo-i'i'iu 'o 'he admiorioo of 
MiHi-oi,ri wan hi juo iti- V'1", aiid thu'. be w h i>. 
lavor of letting i»t w-8'a'ee inn v. into tbi» Ton 
ft-fiHr.c, wi>i> orwithou' Blavery, aether mi^h< 
tl-c. In offi-rii'K ro r ak- r(,j- line, «h'i h tjivf- 
to tbe Ni rtii }i»: )arj;e«i ehffe of tf e ino-i »al- 
nahle p. r ion of oiii reirirnriea, it r eelti ih*' it 
ic nje»-.i|, f, u- iijoro lhau half wa^ in i^« efforte 
lor bfljufiiuent. 

Bui i- in > a>d that a oompromi off t.' in con 
trover-y wnj be a eaonfice o ]>r in ipln ro »i i. h 
biii.f-ci in- ii caiiijut. bh-i ft. Tben tbeCooaii u 
tioB i hi If oai not be anppoi fed bj bopeai n en, 
for it is In ed upon arjri nude up of cori-pro 
mieHH. I ih not. propot-ed to make a u< w Con- 
•tirntrbn, or 'o alter the trins o» the »xiBii.g 
One, all ua.r itn at, tbe North ai d S u'h itliki^ 
claim ib*" they oil* demat d 'bur pre«ei.< 
rig^'s Db<*er i-nt ii«atinm>n>t; bat owii<g t«i 
caui-es to wi.iclt I have referr»4*, ait 8,(tt.»^i,ijii.o> 
BltiUfKH »»p ii ■ levyib '•" "a otmatrnc ioo, aid 
Lhli niTitii b« ietiled by f4xoo or by at juoiment. 



Let Ha t8k« car* 1 has wb t?o Dot mistake pa»eion 
»/.d prejndic* a/ d par zan pnr(.os^i for princi- 
ple. Tue cr> of uo d ruuron.iae if fulff iu mor- 

• 1h, it is> ireamu *o tie •nirit of ibe Codh'i u- 
'lou ; iti- in fidili' y in religion, be trora i'eslf 
ih kob w'Dii-e aidin ple«ded by many * ho 
refoae oil cba r M!uw ci iz^tis. It is 
■ he vital principle of social exictn cp, it unites 
the frfij.ih f.i.'fje ; it, tnt)taii;E the chutch, and 
apbolda nafiooali'iee. 

Bat tbe Ba publicans complain that having 
*ou a Tietrrv, wb a»k ih»m to t-u'rei.dtr ite 
i'ruiiH. We do not wi>-h 'ber-i to ^iv^ up at y po- 
luical advaijtj-ge. We urge mennire» wbinti are 
honor and the sife'y of our 
Union. Can v be ibat ibev are less cnncert-td 
•han we are ? "Wiil 'hc.y adrii' 'bat. they have 
io'eresT* aotagonuttc'oibnee of the whole onm- 
mopwiabb V Are t h* y ru;k ri}/ >a< rifire-*, whea 
'bey do 'hat which it) requnej by the common 
wnf&re ? 

The o j cte of :hia Conver.tion are, 'o ae- 
-urc; ibe eoneerva ive men of ibe Ron'h that 
ilny taveatl-aft* he ejmpa'hy of 312,000 ele.c- 
'or? of N w York ia tt,e. cinie>' in vi icb tfcey 

• re eT.trag»d, ai d 'o k-ep 'be B- id-r 8'»*e8 in 
the Uiiion, aiid hn-> ol'iaia'elj r< s ore its in- 
••grity. Bu' we have ano'ber pnrpnee. Tbia 
i- to' the tin,e tor me ex»)bi ion i.f p>r y apiric. 
We. pr'^oe 'o bnry parfj a fJV-re.i <es ; mt 

to restore te cjoh.! tower of New Yoik, eo that 
it iiiai iiow, ae lo t'meH pae*, be. ibe 'b»atreop- 

OU whlCt ibe Cause of Oil COIDTJ sball tii- 

nrripb. T'i do ibi- we mne' t-. a ve nnry oi ac- 
tot — »11 njiit-t agtee to eutmi- to a< me trion- 
utl. The present rifficolties have >-f.rurg ieto 
pe since the 1.-' p pnUselec ion ; Ley 
'|»V8 'ik n 'his whole c rnnnntj t.y mrprirr. 
-to <o flic b g \ ewa a.>e beld win r^'aid to 
ibe ? roper i»Le or' co'i- d. To teen re 'bu- onion 
ost , i'or on* , I am m f»vui < f m king an 

■ d to th" E 
tbia State, t • 8>>b!j'i be ■ r> po-nion of 
Set a' or C'ltteiren 'o Hie v<fe of 'he i eojjle 
ni New Yorfa ; if it's approved, tie • we will ex- 
er ni;ir. v> -r i> secure, uri a j ta'mei I 
bat tta-ie ; if, upon the O'ber h»i (1, i' is rej' ct- 
ed, t^eii we ehajl ki.o* 'h».t ihe p-otleof 'bie 
Sii'e »7-- oopOB' d to 'be p> licy of compromise 
- Ji in I donot fear ibereedlt Bat if 
K i-, ni happily, true tfu' ■ be i,l ia Repnblicana 
. e ■■(.le of 'be 8tate, then are tbe 
.*>s of 'be ReuLlIi'j i nnibtrtcL Tbtn tie fa- 
•me is d»rk >si.d n«- certain, 

We mat hove i o' oiil> one bu f - mar y Onff 6- 
*r«eieh Before we are involved ii^ *tit> evilr ai d 

• orror* of d iue>- ic w»r, it,' i hm e upon •torn 
i 7 w )l b»ii g hai krup'e-y »i,d ruin, aid iuto 
'.•■h' .-e I on >•■ it m-\ earrj deeola i iisid death, 

tie k)l'j«ed 'O sj.eek ID f » Vt r of ibe pt.llCy Of 

\y ace. I» ibe Le ja-lvure do i o', i 1 will h* be- 
saoae 'bey dure nutlet the popular een'iment 
be u'tei d If tte ) u l lie voire i- t'e»rd, all 
will i ield to i'- d ci-ioec aoo we .ball be uu'ed 
in tc ioa Id tj * do""- la'l <-t onr i ation and 
;m ]<jc ita ernmbling rail a we will eKng to 'he 
fi.r ni e» of NrwY ik. V\e » ill i.ijh d tog 
•id ao ei ape inn tn'ure that its glory, and 

g]e a' I es- , d-d WOI d^> Hll MlviliUpn. etull OOt 

. e i-a r'fif d it rivtl u.'t reels. W e *ill loyally 
ollow ite flag tt ioi,» h the gloom »i d oerila of 
be fo'Ure eld in h e«uc.-l b- nr 'here will 
remain a pleam of hope, an<i we c«n still bail 
wi b i ride i he luolio bmLkzoiiect ou ita ahkld, 

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